Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Fall Update

Well, we haven't been too good about keeping up with the blog lately. Here's the news from the fall. Delaney had her 15 month appointment in November and she's up to 33 1/4" and 25 lbs. Still well off the charts for height (most people think she's 2 already with her long hair and running around like crazy!). She is doing great though and happy as can be.

She is saying quite a few words now, even a short "sentence" ("more-dat!"), and can really follow directions and respond to questions. It's fun to see her reactions and how she figures out how to express what to she wants or needs. She has figured out how to put on her own hat and to unzip and take off her pajamas, also very good at climbing onto chairs and tables. She loves other kids and goes up to them in stores or wherever and pats them on the tummy or shoulder and says "hiii" with a big smile.

Here are some photos from the things we have been doing. In September, we had a fun time at Wine Fest with Kathleen and Grandma and Grandpa and celebrated our first birthdays.

In October we went pumpkin picking in Gloucester and on hikes in the woods with Ollie.
At the end of October we spent a bunch of time with Michael in Easthampton while Auntie Katie was in the hospital. Lola took them to a farm one day to see the animals and play with the toys and they went trick-or-treating together.

Right before Halloween, we got a new baby cousin Ethan Gabriel! He wasn't supposed to come until Christmas, so he is a little guy - born at 2 lbs. 15 ounces. He did a great job in the NICU and grew a lot and now is at home and up over 5 lbs. We are SOOOOO happy that Katie and Ethan are doing well now. He's a cutie and we can't wait to see him for Christmas.

In November we went to the Boston Children's museum with friends Luke, Natalie, and Jason. It was a great place and there were lots of things to explore and play with.

In early December, we got a Christmas tree and started looking for Santa. First, we saw him arrive in Rockport by lobsterboat!
(He's little but you can see him waving on the deck of the boat).

Then we found him at the local hardware store and even Ollie got to tell him what he wanted for Christmas!Later in the month, we had our first real family vacation!! We flew to New Orleans for a long weekend for Kelly's birthday. It was a blast and Delaney did an amazing job on the plane and all around the city. She was waving and saying "hiii" to everyone and lots of people played peek-a-boo with her. Her favorite part though, was playing in the pillows on the king-size bed.

We ate a lot of great food, heard some fun music, saw lots of Christmas trees, went to the zoo and some parks, and even got to meet up with some good friends that we had been missing.

Fun dinner at Jacques-Imo's with Ashley and Adam. Delaney had fun people watching (especially Adam!).

Lunch in the quarter with Rachel, Alex, and baby Sebastian who has a fun birthday 10-10-10!!

Happy holidays everyone, and we can't wait to see you for Christmas!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Happy 1st Birthday Delaney!

Well, we have had a lot of fun these last few months. Delaney enjoyed her first 4th of July at the Cape with Michael. She fell asleep right when the first fireworks went off, so she still has something new to see next year.


Then we headed to celebrate our first Cherry Festival with Kathleen. We helped make breakfast burritos (sort of) and mostly just ran around the church hall as fast as possible laughing and saying "Ahhhhhh"!!!

Then we went to see the farm and got to ride on Papa Dale's favorite John Deere tractor!


And dressed in cherry outfits and played with dominoes.


Then, unfortunately, got sick for the big day. We had to leave the firemen's parade early with a runny nose and watery eyes... still smiling though.


We were all better again for Kris and Abby's Jack n' Jill party the next week at Nonotuck Park. It was a super fun party and lots of people came.


But it was pretty hot and Delaney got really thirsty!


At the end of July, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. We went into Boston for a day to ride the swan boats (make way for the ducklings!) and to take a boat tour of Boston Harbor.


Something else special happened that week... Delaney started WALKING!! She finally decided it was time to let go of the furniture and walker toys, and went for it.




She was well on the go for her FIRST birthday on August 11, 2010!! Yippee!!


That weekend, our friends Erin and Derek came to visit and celebrate. We had a great beach day at Good Harbor and then went for ice cream, yum.


We also had a combination birthday party the next weekend with cousin Michael, who turned TWO on August 5, 2010!! Happy Birthday Michael!


A great surprise was the present from Lola and Poppa - a big green John Deere tractor and trailer. It is just like Papa Dale's on the farm! Delaney has already learned to climb on and off carefully all by herself (she can't reach the floor yet though to push it around).


Climbing is definitely one of her specialties and favorite things to do right now...

At her 12 month checkup, the doctor said she is 24 lbs and 32 inches long. Off the charts for height. According to Lola, this is even taller than Kelly at 12 months. At this point, it seems like Delaney is bit more coordinated than her mother... we're hoping it stays that way.

We are looking forward to the next few weeks... we have more tent camping to do with Ollie, a trip to North East for our second Wine Fest (hopefully we won't get kicked out of the winery this year) and to celebrate cousin Kathleen's birthday, a trip to Maine for apple picking, and Kris and Abby's wedding in October! Woo woo : ). It's going to be a fun fall.



Thursday, May 27, 2010

Happy Spring!

So, it's been a while but we have had a lot going on between our jobs, house for sale, finishing school, and now the oil spill. We are having a great spring anyway and hope that you are as well.

This past weekend was fantastic with lots of family around for Willie's graduation and Delaney's baptism. All the aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents including Papa Dale and Naney and Papa B came to Gloucester to see us! We couldn't have had a nicer time with everyone.

Willie is in Louisiana right now helping out with the spill, don't feel too bad for him - he's eating great food and getting to go to Cafe DuMonde! I'm hoping that he brings us back something yummy.

An update on Delaney - she is 9 months old now and at her last check-up was 21 lbs and 30.5 inches long. She is growing like crazy and doesn't seem to be slowing down yet. She loves eating finger foods and cruising around the room (walking with holding on), and she just popped her 3rd tooth. She's smiling and waving hello at everyone, especially Ollie - and even started playing tug of war with him and his toys.

We are having tons of fun and can't wait to get her swimming and camping.

Here are some photos from last weekend...


After lots of hard work Willie received his Ph. D in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.


Cousin Kathleen came to URI for the event too, then we went home to do some playing. The next day Delaney got baptized at the Rockport Congregational Church.


She wore the christening gown that Kelly and Auntie Katie wore when they were babies.

After, we had a party to celebrate it all!